Tinkers Lane Fire Station
When responding to a call-out, every second counts for the emergency services. That is why, when the Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service (FBFRS) decided to move its fire crews from an outdated site in Windsor to a new site in the town, provided by the Local Authority, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (RBWM) in a partnership initiative, they were looking for a speedy, bespoke, new-build solution.
The new Station replaces the ageing facilities that were situated on St Mark’s Road and, although smaller, retains all the facilities needed to provide an effective service. It is staffed 24 hours a day by crews from the Slough Fire Station. From foundations to completion, the building took a total of twenty four weeks to complete.
Unusually for a modular project, several aspects of the building evolved during the process. To achieve the high specification needed by the Station, a lot of communication between all parties was required. “I found the Site Agent and Contracts Manager very helpful” commented Tim Challis, RBFRS Surveyor and “as the project developed they kept all involved well informed on the progress of the building.”
The most striking feature of the building was also the one that needed most consideration; the portal frame area that would house the station’s appliance. This room features an ‘up and over’ door fitted with security systems, a central gulley and a resin finish to the floor for drainage. The Station also sets an example in fire safety with a sprinkler system that was installed throughout the entire building.
The care taken with the design of the building did not end with the appliance, however. The crews at Tinkers Lane will still enjoy the benefit of rest and gym areas, as well as a fully equipped office and low-maintenance stainless steel kitchen. As the building is under a flight path, special care was also needed in the dormitory, where measures were taken to improve acoustic insulation and super silent air conditioning was installed. When a call comes in, firefighters can still expect a rude awakening though, with a PA/Callout system installed throughout the building. This system is also linked to the doors and lighting.
Externally, the building is finished with Thermowood cladding and a brick skirt and Poppy red doors. “The building meets all of our requirements,” Tim told us,”the fire crews are very happy with the building and have settled in well.”
John Spencer, the RBWM Contract Administrator and Project Manager responsible for the project stated that both RBWM and the RBFRS are very happy with the building constructed by Wernick Buildings. “Only by all three parties working together as a team, to ensure that the building was completed on time and within the budget to the desired quality was a successful outcome for everyone realised,” stated John.
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